Saxon Spirit - In an era where electric startups and digital platforms dominate automotive headlines, it is easy to forget that some of the most compelling car stories still begin in quiet workshops, driven by persistence rather than venture capital.
The ELA-Sportwagen belongs firmly in that tradition. It is not the product of a large manufacturer or a design studio, but the result of a long-held personal vision: to reconnect Saxony’s deep automotive heritage with modern sports car craftsmanship through a single, meticulously engineered vehicle.
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| The ELA-Sportwagen is the realization of a personal vision to reconnect Saxony’s automotive heritage with modern sports car craftsmanship through a single, meticulously engineered vehicle. (Picture from: Ela-GT.de) |
Saxony’s connection to the automobile runs far deeper than many realize. This region helped introduce milestones such as left-hand drive and front-wheel drive to the world, and later became home to legendary names like
Horch,
Audi,
Wanderer, and
Auto Union, whose four-ring emblem still lives on today. Even the humble
Trabant played its part in shaping automotive culture until the early 1990s. After German reunification, however, locally developed cars largely disappeared, replaced by large-scale production from global brands.
The ELA-Sportwagen emerges against this backdrop as a deliberate counterpoint, reminding us that innovation and individuality have always been part of Saxony’s DNA.
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| The ELA-Sportwagen features wide, low, and purposeful proportions that deliver a supercar stance grounded in practical engineering rather than pure spectacle. (Picture from: Ela-GT.de) |
That reminder comes from
Matthias Lorenz,
a master metalworker from Treuen,
Saxony,
who spent years searching for ways to revive motorsport and car building in his home region. After unsuccessful collaborations and abandoned plans, he made a decisive choice at the turn of the millennium: to build a sports car himself.
The ELA project officially began in
2000, fueled by discipline, patience, and the kind of perseverance required when there is no corporate safety net.
Lorenz’s approach was deeply personal, shaped by hands-on craftsmanship rather than spreadsheets.
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| The ELA-Sportwagen balances inspiration and originality, drawing influence from Lotus, McLaren, Porsche, and Ferrari without ever aiming for imitation. (Picture from: Ela-GT.de) |
Visually and technically,
the ELA-Sportwagen reflects a careful balance between inspiration and originality. Its form was influenced by iconic performance brands such as
Lotus,
McLaren,
Porsche, and
Ferrari, yet the goal was never imitation. An early aluminum prototype, constructed from riveted sheets, became the foundation for custom molds and a fully reworked body. The car’s proportions—wide, low, and purposeful—support a supercar stance while remaining grounded in practical engineering decisions rather than pure spectacle.
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| The ELA-Sportwagen features a unique interior layout with a centrally positioned steering wheel inspired by the McLaren F1, allowing comfortable seating on both sides within its wide two-meter cabin. (Picture from: Ela-GT.de) |
Beneath its sleek exterior,
the ELA-Sportwagen combines carefully selected mass-produced components with bespoke engineering solutions.
A first-generation Porsche Boxster provides the engine, transmission, suspension, and parts of the electrical system, offering both reliability and modular flexibility. Additional elements come from
Audi,
Toyota,
Lotus,
Volkswagen, and other trusted brands, chosen for their proven quality and durability. These components are seamlessly integrated into a custom tubular steel space frame, crafted specifically for
the ELA, which balances remarkable strength with surprising lightness,
weighing just around 200 kilograms.
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| The ELA-Sportwagen combines carefully selected mass-produced components with bespoke engineering beneath its sleek exterior. (Picture from: Ela-GT.de) |
The car’s interior and layout further reflect its unique design philosophy. A centrally positioned steering wheel, inspired by
the McLaren F1,
allows for a comfortable passenger on either side within the wide two-meter cabin. Despite its robust construction, the complete vehicle is expected to weigh just under one ton, thanks to an aluminum floor and a smooth underbody that enhances aerodynamics. This combination of thoughtful engineering, unconventional layout, and lightweight construction makes
the ELA-Sportwagen both highly functional and distinctly exceptional.
Beyond engineering,
the ELA-Sportwagen carries layers of meaning embedded in its name and design details.
“ELA” is a personal tribute, derived from the name of Lorenz’s daughter,
Michaela, while the subtle V-shaped elements at the front and rear reference the Vogtland region where the car is built. These choices underscore what makes
the ELA-Sportwagen resonate today: it is not chasing trends or mass appeal, but quietly asserting that craftsmanship, regional identity, and individual ambition still have a place in modern automotive culture. In a time obsessed with scale and speed to market,
the ELA stands as a reminder that some ideas are worth building slowly—and entirely by hand.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ELA-GT.DE | DREAMCAR.CH | ALLCARINDEX | ELA-SPORTWAGEN IN FACEBOOK | CARSEX MAGAZINE IN TUMBLR ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
